Mike Penning, a Home Office minister, has called for the emergency services in England to handle 999 calls from a shared control room.

The London Ambulance Service turned off their sirens as a mark of respect Photo: ALAMY

The plans, published today, also include a move to allow police and crime commissioners to take responsibility for their local fire and rescue authority.

PCCs who take this step will then be able to put in place a single "employer" led by a chief officer in charge of hiring all fire and police personnel.

The post will be reserved for those who hold the rank of chief constable but rules will be changed to allow senior fire officers who have not previously served as a constable to apply.

Photo: Alamy

When a caller rings 999 they usually have to tell an operator which service they require, because in most parts of England the three emergency services run separate control centres.

A few areas of England already have a share control room but the Home Office is issuing a “statutory duty” which will require the services to collaborate most closely.

Mr Penning said: "It simply doesn't make sense for emergency services to have different premises, different back offices and different IT systems when their work is so closely related and they often share the same boundaries.”

Lyn Brown, the shadow fire minister, said fire officers will fear the plans are "a smokescreen for cuts".

She said: "The Government must ensure that a statutory fire service is maintained in all parts of the country."

Chief Constable Alex Marshall, chief executive of the College of Policing, said: "Collaborations between the emergency services have already proven to benefit the public and we will support initiatives to make this process easier."

999 pocket caller turns out to be a Policeman Photo: Alamy

But he warned: "We would be interested in seeing more from the Home Office on what would be required for a fire officer to reach the standard and professional qualifications in policing necessary to become a chief officer.

"Currently all chief police officers have to pass a rigorous selection process and training course in order to take up their post, and it is important this is not diluted."

"Why the burning need to change the law? It's like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut."

Steve White, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales

Officials stressed that fire officers will have to complete assessments and meet standards set by the College of Policing before they are eligible to become chief officers.

A law that prevents a member of a police force from being a firefighter will remain in force, while fire personnel will not be given the power of arrest.

A Fire Brigades Union spokesman said: "It is still our professional opinion that the plans to have PCCs take over responsibility for fire and rescues services are a mistake.

"PCC takeover of fire and rescue is a costly experiment with no guarantee for success."

Steve White, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, also criticised the move.

He said: "Officers from both emergency services already do pull together, working alongside week in, week out, as has been evidenced most recently by the appalling floods.

"So why the burning need to change the law? It's like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut."

Mr Penning said: "We believe that better joint working can strengthen the emergency services, deliver significant savings and produce benefits for the public.

"Strong leadership will be required to drive greater efficiencies and improved outcomes. Directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners are clearly accountable to the public and have a strong incentive to pursue ambitious reform and deliver value for money."

He added: "This is about smarter working. It simply doesn't make sense for emergency services to have different premises, different back offices and different IT systems when their work is so closely related and they often share the same boundaries."